"Thank you ! Did we all read "Giovanni's Room" when we were teens ... and were slightly baffled and taken ?? Now I'm curious .. about this movie" - Martin

"We don’t deserve something this beautiful in 2018..." - Margaret

"I thought it was a terrific, lovely film but with some flaws. I don't think the voiceovers work well in the film and nor was it necessary since the film was already so infused with Baldwin's voice. " - Raul

Index (43 minutes)00:01 Lois Smith & Lucas Hedges and lingering moments06:00 Greta Gerwig, Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Tracy Letts are all brilliant16:00 More Lady Bird gushing23:00 The Shape of Water -wanted to love it more 27:00 Guillermo del Toro problems and monsters32:00 The performances in the movie37:40 The Best Picture field, Hollywood sexism, and the atypical versus typical within the contenders

You can listen to the podcast here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes. Continue the conversations in the comments, won't you?

Reader Comments (11)

Can you guys (and gals - I miss Katey!) do an overall recap of where the race currently stands at some point?

I appreciate TFE podcast because it discusses the quality of movies first (nobody does that anymore!) but it would be nice to get an update on where you guys think the race will be headed once all the precursor noms are announced.

I'm sitting here fresh off the episode, wondering how on Earth I can spend all day doing my homework instead of going to see Lady Bird again. Definitely have a lot more to think about next time I go. And I'm with Marc and Laura - there's a real focus on your own responses and your own sense of the value these films have.

Also, that Scissorhands comparison is almost as scary as Sergio Lopez was supposed to be. Real shivers.

Right now it's a wait & see question, but are we overestimating Richard Jenkins & Octavia Spencer for Supporting? There really hasn't been a lot of critic mention with these two. I'm sure that they'll probably ride the carpet if Shape gets a response. Since it's hitting release now, that should work in their favor. Academy voters have short term memories past the month of November mostly. Have to see this film and know for myself.

I had new thoughts about both films while listening, which is part of why I love the podcast. I'd love to hear more thoughts on Call Me By Your Name, The Florida Project, Downsizing, The Post and Phantom Thread as the season rolls on.

I really enjoyed your discussion of Lady Bird and especially Nat's defense of Gerwig's great direction! I understand why you think it may not be an Oscar nominee but I am so hoping she gets in this year - she deserves it.

I would love to hear the Three Billboards podcast and a discussion of The Florida Project. I initially liked Three Billboards but keep thinking of reasons why it wasn't a very good film (oh my goodness, some of that dialogue... and Abbie Cornish's miscasting). I did not care for The Florida Project and was intrigued by some of Nick's tweets about it.